Car Review: 2012 BMW 650i Cabriolet

By Graeme Fletcher, Postmedia News

Originally published: June 16, 2011

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Going topless Bavarian-style is a thing of beauty. In the case of the BMW 650i Cabriolet, getting into the al fresco mode is as simple as holding a button for 20 seconds. By the time the intricate ballet is over, the canvas top is neatly stowed and there’s a hard tonneau in place. Unlike some other high-end droptops, the Cabrio has a finished look regardless of whether the top is up or down. It is also one of the few convertibles that is attractive regardless of the top’s position. The better news is that beneath the tester’s shimmering Vermillion red paint, it is the model of sophistication.

It all starts with the powertrain. The 650i Cabriolet is motivated by BMW’s sweet twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8. Force-feeding the engine its air delivers 400 horsepower, which is not to be sneezed at. However, it is the 450 pound-feet of torque that really makes this mill so sweet and flexible. The reason? Peak torque arrives at 1,750 rpm and it stays with the program to 4,500 rpm, which is where the stallions shift from a gentle canter to a full-on gallop. That’s half the powertrain story.

The other half is found in the eight-speed manumatic transmission. This thing slips through its gears in a seamless fashion when driven sedately. Push a little harder and there is a delightful blat from the exhaust as the transmission shifts up a cog. It also rev matches on the way down the box and the paddle shifters work regardless of shifter position. The fact it has eight speeds also means it is ideally suited to the engine’s brawny characteristics.

Beyond the powertrain’s flawless behaviour, it is the ability to tweak things according to the tone of the drive that caps things off. The combination of the adaptive drive and dynamic drive systems allows the driver to tune the engine/transmission and chassis to suit the driver’s mood. The different settings can be selected through a single switch or by delving into the setup menu. The latter allows the driver to select just the powertrain changes (engine and transmission), the chassis changes (ride and steering) or to tweak both together.

In the Comfort and Normal modes, the transmission pulls away in seconds, which is smoother, and the throttle has a relaxed response. The suspension also delivers a cossetting ride. Selecting the Sport or Sport+ modes ramps up the urgency of the power delivery — the Cabrio now pulls away in first gear, the throttle feels crisper and, in the case of the Sport+ mode, the dynamic traction control is engaged. This allows a little wheelspin — the brawny eight chirps the enormous P285/30R20 tires effortlessly on a hasty takeoff. As well as providing that cushy ride, the adaptive dampers and active anti-roll bars are very good at dialling out unwanted body motion. The last part of the dynamic equation is BMW’s delightful active steering system. The end result is a car that’s surprisingly fast in its response to driver input. It is just not what’s expected of a full-bodied convertible.

The Cabrio’s cabin is a thing of beauty, especially when the executive and premium seating packages are along for the ride. When so equipped, all of the surfaces, including the dash, are wrapped in buttery soft leather, the seats are heated and cooled and they are superbly comfortable. Then there’s the soulful sound system — it is pure gold. I also learned to appreciate the head-up display — not so much for displaying vehicle speed but rather for the manner in which it incorporates the navigation system instructions when a destination is set. It makes life so easy.

Naturally, iDrive is along for the ride, but as is true of all recent BMWs, the 650’s is easier to use and, more importantly, it makes sense. Large buttons, which include a back button (it undoes an errant input in one simple move), select the main screen. From there on, it is a painless venture to delve down into the various levels using the main rotary controller. Many of the functions can also be accessed through the controls on the right steering wheel spoke. I was not a fan, but I could live with this version of iDrive.

Move rearward and one finds the Cabrio’s Achilles heel — the back seat. BMW says the Cabrio is a 2+2, which is stretching things a bit. With the driver’s seat set for my short 30-inch legs, there was barely enough room in the rear seat for those same stubby legs. Yes, it does serve a purpose when the need to carry an extra rider arises, but it really is better suited to carrying a briefcase.

While the 650i Cabriolet is dynamically gifted and has a ton of grunt, the fact it weighs 2,000-plus kilograms means it’s not exactly the raciest of ragtops unless it’s set in the Sport+ mode. In the end, this matters not as it is a superb Grand Tourer — as good as any I have driven. When the sun shines, it is the perfect playmate.